Download Red Tide vs. Red Drift Algae

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Red Tide vs. Red Drift Algae
mote.org
A Primer To Help Beachgoers Know The Difference
Florida red tides, which most Florida beachgoers and residents have heard of, are caused by a
microscopic organism people CANNOT see with the naked eye. It’s sometimes confused with a different
kind of macroalgae, called red drift algae that beachgoers CAN see with the naked eye.
Below is an information box to help you sort out the differences between the two. To see the Beach
Conditions Report, which covers beaches from Pinellas to Collier counties, and whether they are being
affected by red tide or red drift algae, click here.
Red Tide
What
is it?
Red Drift Algae
caused by Karenia brevis, an organism that you can
only see with a microscope. It’s always present in
the Gulf of Mexico in small amounts, but when it
“blooms” and occurs in larger amounts, it
The Florida Red Tide is caused by Karenia sometimes discolors the waters, giving them a
brevis, an organism that you can only see
reddish or brownish appearance, hence the name
with a microscope. It’s always present in the “red tide.”
Gulf of Mexico in small amounts, but when it
Red Drift Algae is any of a number of larger species
“blooms” and occurs in larger amounts, it
sometimes discolors the waters, giving them of algae that can be seen with the naked eye.
These species, which vary in color and can be red,
a reddish or brownish appearance, hence
brown, green or white occur naturally in the
the name “red tide.”
environment and can sometimes detach from the
bottom and wash up along area beaches. These
species are called macroalgae because they can be
seen without aid of a microscope.
When blooms occur, their toxins can kill fish
What
These algae are not harmful and are non-toxic but,
and other marine animals. When their toxins
does it
when they wash up on beaches, can smell bad as
become airborne, they can also have
they decompose.
do?
respiratory affects on people at beaches.
Where In the Gulf of Mexico and occasionally the
is it
Atlantic coast, from 50 miles offshore into
found? Intercoastal waterways and bays.
Page 1 of 2
They occur on the bottom, then detach and float in
the wrack line in the surf and sometimes wash up
on beaches. They originate a few miles or less
offshore.
Jul 08, 2014 01:43:36PM MDT
http://mote.org/news/red-tide-vs.-red-drift-algae
When Has occurred in every month of the year,
with September to January the most
is it
found? common.
How
do
they
form?
Blooms form offshore in Gulf of Mexico
waters and are brought inshore by water
Growth might be correlated with seasonal nutrient
current patterns, with duration and intensity runoff but that is still under investigation.
issues still under investigation.
Aerosols are toxic to inhale (especially for
those with underlying lung diseases) and
Why
ingestion of shellfish contaminated with
do we toxins can make people very ill. Shellfish or
care? fish bought in restaurants or at the fish
market are safe to eat as they are harvested
from red-tide free waters.
What
is
being
done
about?
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Any month of the year.
By providing this website, we encourage
beachgoers to make smart decisions on
their health and the beaches they use. In
addition to studying health impacts,
scientists are investigating the causes of red
tide and exploring potential options to
lessen its impacts on the public.
While red drift algae are not toxic, it can be smelly
as it decomposes, especially if marine animals such
as fish have been caught in it. Some beachgoers
may also find it unsightly.
The connection between nutrients and red drift
algae is being investigated. Local officials also
sometimes choose to remove large amounts from
beaches to lessen cosmetic impacts. Those
decisions are made on a beach-by-beach basis.
Jul 08, 2014 01:43:36PM MDT